Gary Springer
Gary Springer Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 18, 1962 Harlem, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Former professional basketball player |
| Years active | 1980–1985 |
| Known for | Collegiate basketball career at Iona College; Haggerty Award winner (1980–81) |
Gary Springer Sr. (born February 18, 1962) is a former American professional basketball athlete, renowned primarily for his collegiate tenure with the Iona Gaels from 1980 through 1984.
Early life
Raised in Harlem, New York, Springer attended Benjamin Franklin High School (BFHS). There, he was part of a powerhouse squad featuring Richie Adams, Kenny Hutchinson, and Lonnie Green, which earned the distinction of being the nation's top-ranked high school basketball team in 1979. The arrival of Walter Berry the following season further solidified BFHS’s status as one of New York City's most exceptional high school basketball programs.
College career
Springer’s collegiate career at Iona was marked by four consecutive varsity letters and his emergence as one of the program's most accomplished players. In 121 contests, he amassed 1,866 points and secured 1,021 rebounds. His honors include three-time honorable mention All-American recognition, three selections to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team, four All-Metropolitan Area distinctions, and winning the esteemed Haggerty Award during his freshman year (1980–81), awarded to the premier college basketball player in the New York metro region.
A highlight of his freshman season featured a week in which Springer recorded 58 points and 23 rebounds, including two clutch game-winning shots—a buzzer-beater against Wagner and a critical 20-foot jumper versus Holy Cross—earning him national player of the week accolades from Sports Illustrated.
Thanks to Springer's leadership, Iona qualified for postseason competition three times: advancing to the first round of the 1982 National Invitation Tournament, reaching the second round in the 1983 National Invitation Tournament, and competing in the round of 48 during the 1984 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
Professional career
Following his collegiate years, Springer was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft but did not appear in an NBA game due to injury setbacks. He had a brief stint with the Puerto Rico Coquis in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during the 1984–85 season.
Personal life
Springer’s family has continued his basketball legacy through his three sons: Gary Jr., who played at Iona during the mid-2000s; Jordan, who competed for Army in the early 2010s; and Jaden, his youngest son who played for Tennessee and was selected as the 28th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA Draft. Additionally, his nephew is NBA player DeAndre' Bembry.